Still with high pressure: the whole of
Europe is almost all at the same pressure. Once again the briefing, held under
the trees for some shelter from the heat of the 10.15 sun, warned of
thunderstorms.
JB had decided not to fly and
departed early to visit a family friend. Meanwhile the rest of the team sat
somewhat reluctantly in the shade by the launch point 'till Christian and
Momo chivvied us into action. Matt was pushed to the front, the agneau sacrifie
(my French). I won't say he got away; more remained aloft while Phil and
Dave launched. The initial problem was not staying up but gaining sufficient
height under the inversion to progress to the next stage. At this time of day
with the temperature rising rapidly the ceiling rose rapidly allowing Matt to
escape to the East first while the more timorous followed after. By the time
the mice were tiptoeing East Matt had already completed his
"cheating" OLC leg down the Parcour. Phil maintaining more faith in
the thermals than ridges met up with him over Dormilleuse with sufficient
height to cross the lake directly to the southern peaks of the Ecran.
 |
4000' cloud base
|
By this time large cumulus congestus were
visible to the East and so it was decided to head North into an inviting sky.
This involves going quite deep (for Phil's taste) into the mountain range
in order to follow the best ridges; the only saving grace being we were
now climbing to 4,000m (13,000 ft) and in gliding range of La Motte and
certainly Gap Tallard airfield at 20:1. As we progressed the clouds ahead
started to over develop and a call from Dave suggested the developing storm in
the East was moving toward La Motte so discretion indicated a circuitous return
to base fairly soon was in order. A call to Chrsitian soaring the 21 with the
apprentice (Rowan) confirmed this information. So with some reluctance but the
prospect of some magnificent clouds in the South West we turned in that
direction and started what turned out to be our final glide for home, only
taking one superfluous turn in a thermal so strong you just had to, to
enjoy the surge. Off the clock all the way round then press on!
 |
| Going North with merde to the east |
Meanwhile Rowan continued his time with
Christian pushing further afield to the Pic du Bure, a snow capped, formidable
vertical bowl. Perfect for some figure of eight training, mere meters from the
jagged rock face.
 |
| Looking over Pic de Bure to the storm south east of La Motte |
By now our course had effectively taken us
in a grand tour around the Pic and from the far side of that 2,700 m peak some
1,000 m below us we headed South and then finally East into the gloom at 90+
knots. Smokin', as someone you may know well might say. We landed in time to
pack the gliders back in their trailers before the hail, which never
materialised, started.
A
short but epic day!
-Phil
 |
| An over view of our play ground |
